Rahane included in WTC squad not due to IPL form, says Gavaskar

Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has given his seal of approval to the recall of Ajinkya Rahane to the Indian Test squad for the upcoming World Test Championship final against Australia in June.

The former India captain highlighted that Rahane’s inclusion was not just based on his recent form in the IPL, but also his impressive performances in domestic cricket and the experience he brings to the middle order.

Rahane had been dropped from the Indian side after their tour of South Africa in January 2022, but injuries to Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant have given him an opportunity to return to the national side.

Gavaskar believes that Rahane’s inclusion was a necessary change in the absence of Iyer.

The Mumbai batsman was in fine form in the Ranji Trophy, scoring 634 runs in just seven matches as captain, including a double century and a hundred.

He then carried his good form into the IPL, where he scored 209 runs in five matches for Chennai Super Kings at a strike rate of close to 200, demonstrating a reinvention of his T20 game.

Gavaskar also discussed the wicketkeeping conundrum in the Indian side, with KS Bharat and KL Rahul both in contention for the role.

Bharat, who had a decent debut series in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, has been named as the designated wicketkeeper in the squad, while Rahul has been retained in the side after being dropped during the Test series against Australia due to poor form.

However, there have been calls to play Rahul as the wicketkeeper to add more solidity to the middle order, with Gavaskar acknowledging that the decision on who will play in the final eleven will depend on the team’s needs.

Gavaskar then went on to share his ideal XI for the World Test Championship final, with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill as his opening picks, followed by Cheteshwar Pujara at three, Virat Kohli at four, Rahane at five, and Rahul at six, who will also keep wickets.

He then included Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, followed by Jaidev Unadkat, Mohammed Shami, and Mohd Siraj to round out the bowling attack.

Overall, Gavaskar believes that India has a strong side that can win the World Test Championship final, with Rahane’s experience and form adding to the team’s depth and balance.

Only time will tell whether his predictions will come to fruition, but Indian cricket fans will undoubtedly be excited to see their team take on Australia in what promises to be an enthralling encounter.